Garments for use with urinary device

ABSTRACT

A lower garment for a female person has a mechanism that when engaged, secures the garment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at a specific position in a fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific position in fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person to engage a tubular portion of an external device through the fly opening, and to move the tubular portion to her vulva and insert same to position of the urethra without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/082,230, filed on Nov. 20, 2014, and all disclosure of theprovisional application is incorporated herein at least by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the area of clothing, and pertains moreparticularly to clothing for use with a device for enabling women, andin some cases men, to urinate in a standing position with ease.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

It is well-known that a lady cannot urinate in a standing position likea male can without soiling herself due to the nature of the femaleexternal genitalia. Women usually open their legs wide and/or bendforwards with their knees folded and urinate into a larger receptaclebehind such as a water closet.

A number of devices have attempted to solve this need. They have allbeen based on a device whose whole contour matches the body around theexternal genitalia like a very large funnel. These devices were madelarge for easy use, but are easily soiled because of sealing devices toprevent the urine from leaking out, and cannot be personalized becauseof the same reasons, for example, a lady cannot carry it around likewhen she goes to a movie house, and if the movie house installs such adevice a second person cannot use it without washing after the previousperson's use. Also, due to varying body sizes, many sizes are requiredto suit the population.

What is clearly needed is a relatively small, hand-held urinary devicethat may be carried by a user, such as in a purse, so there is no needfor more than one person to share the use of a single device. In somecases such a device may be adapted for either a male or a female to use.What is also clearly needed is an article of clothing adapted especiallyfor use with such a device, such that a person, to use the urinarydevice, need not open the usual and conventional fly openings to placeand use the urinary device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention a lower garment for a femaleperson is provided, comprising a mechanism that engaged, secures thegarment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at aspecific position in fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising asubstantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap offabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such thatthe slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of theflap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific positionin fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person toengage a tubular portion of an external device through the fly opening,and to move the tubular portion to her vulva and insert same to positionof the urethra without disengaging the mechanism that secures thegarment to the female person.

In one embodiment the mechanism that secures the garment to the femaleperson is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in one embodiment thegarment is a pair of trousers, and the specific position in fabric is ina crotch area of the trousers. Also in one embodiment the garment is askirt, and the specific position is any position on the skirt that maybe moved to the area of the vulva without disengaging the mechanism thatsecures the garment to the female person.

In another aspect of the invention a system for enabling a female personto urinate while standing and without disrobing is provided, comprisinga urinary device comprising an elongate tube having at one end a cup forplacing over the female person's urethra, and a lower garment for afemale person, the garment comprising a mechanism that engaged, securesthe garment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at aspecific position in fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising asubstantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap offabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such thatthe slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of theflap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific positionin fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person toengage the elongate tube through the fly opening, to move the elongatetube and fly to her vulva and to insert same to position of the urethrawithout disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the femaleperson.

In one embodiment of the system the mechanism that secures the garmentto the female person is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in oneembodiment the garment is a pair of trousers, and the specific positionin fabric is in a crotch area of the trousers. Also in one embodimentthe garment is a skirt, and the specific position is any position on theskirt that may be moved to the area of the vulva without disengaging themechanism that secures the garment to the female person.

In yet another aspect of the invention a method allowing a female personto urinate while standing and without disrobing is provided, comprisinginserting an elongate tube of a urinary device having at one end a cupfor placing over the female person's urethra, through a fly openingcomprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by aflap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slitsuch that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edgeof the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit, moving theelongate tube with the cup and the fly opening to f the female's vulva,inserting the cup through the vulva to engage over the urethra, andperforming urination.

In one embodiment of the method the mechanism that secures the garmentto the female person is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in oneembodiment the garment is a pair of trousers, and the fly opening isimplemented in a crotch area of the trousers. And in one embodiment thegarment is a skirt, and the fly opening is implemented in any positionon fabric of the skirt that may be moved to the area of the vulvawithout disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the femaleperson.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female urinary device according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a process flow chart illustrating steps 300 for practicing theinvention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a urinary device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a trouser garment meant for use by awoman, adapted for use with the device depicted in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a woman's anatomy relative to thegarment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7a is one view of a fly arrangement according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7b is another view of a fly arrangement according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a garment showing fly positions accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention in one embodiment comprises a relatively small,hand-held device that can go into a handbag. In this embodiment itincludes a tube of predetermined size which mates directly with thefemale external urethral orifice. To compensate for dilation of theorifice during higher discharges, the device in this embodiment has agutter at the mouth of the collector, which takes the effluent away fromthe body. Further, in this embodiment the tube has a projection thatnests in the vestibule of the vulvae and helps locating. For a feelingof well being to the person, this projection also may engage with theclitoris.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female urinary device 100 according toone embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 1, the urinarydevice 100 of the present invention is illustrated in perspective.Device 100 may be manufactured of one material, preferably a durablemedical-grade polymer, such as by injection molding. Other rigid andsemi-rigid materials may also be used like some metals and ceramics. Inone embodiment, device 100 is molded in one piece from medical gradepolymer. Device 100 is adapted to be used repeatedly as needed tore-direct urine out and away from the urethra, and may be cleaned anddisinfected between uses.

Device 100 in a preferred embodiment includes a conduit or tubingsection 101 that is formed or molded to bend at an angle creating tubesection 104 and tube section 103. The bend may be relatively abrupt, asshown, or very gradual, in a sweeping curve. Tube section 104 has anannular cup 107, also referred to as a collector, formed on one open endfor facilitating a snug fit over the urethra. Cup 107 may be formed onone end of conduit 101 by shaping, molding or flaring before forming thebend creating tube sections 104 and 103, depending on the method offorming or manufacture. In one embodiment, cup 107 may be a separatepart that is heat welded, glued or otherwise affixed to the end of tubesection 104.

In some embodiments a placement shield 105 is provided on tubing section104 nearer to cup 107. In this example, shield 105 is positioned overthe peripheral wall of tube 104 and may be glued, heat welded orotherwise formed or affixed to the peripheral wall of the tube. In someembodiments a user may manipulate placement shield 105 in order toaccurately place device 100 into a suitable position for use. In someembodiments shield 105 may have a concave surface 106 on the side thatfaces cup 107. An important purpose of the shield is to act as a stopfor a user's fingers in use. In some embodiments Shield 105 may alsohave a crescent-shaped profile that is curved toward cup 107 more so onthe lower part of shield 105 than the upper portion of the shield. Thecombination of the profile of shield 105 and surface 106 provides anaturally conforming surface that conforms to the pubic mound of a useraround the urethra to help prevent any leakage that may escape from cup107.

Shield 105 is strategically positioned away from cup 107 to an amountthat facilitates a comfortable fitting of cup 107 over the urethra whilethe shield rests either against intervening clothing or against thebody. The curvature and shape of placement shield 105 may conform to theproximal curvature of the female genital area (pubic mound) or, in otherembodiments, may have another shape. A support rib 108 is provided inthe embodiment shown on device 100. Support rib 108 bridges the insideof placement shield 105, the top of tube section 104, and cup 107.Support rib 108 is molded, heat welded, or otherwise affixedsubstantially near the top center portion of the re-directing end of thedevice. Support rib 108 is not specifically required in order topractice the present invention, but helps a user to locate the urethraby providing an indicator of device position during the act of placingthe device over the urethra.

Cup 107 is adapted to encompass or cover the urethra while the userurinates. Holding shield 105 such as with an index and middle finger ofone hand holds the device in place against the urethra and the vaginalarea surrounding the urethra. In use of the device, the general positionand extended direction of tubing section 104 is angularly downward, forexample, while a user is standing and using the device while tubingsection 103 is presented at a lesser downward angle and away from theuser. The exact angle of bend for sections 104 and 103 may vary,generally from zero to about forty-five degrees, however an approximate10 to 35 degree bend angle is suitable for most users.

While a user is urinating into the device, holding the device in placewith one hand, urine is redirected through tube section 104 and tubesection 103 and out of the device into a urinal or other selected vesselor urinary target. A user may control the direction of a urine stream byrotating the device slightly clockwise or counter clockwise to vary thedirection of tube section 103.

In one embodiment of the present invention, device 100 may be used whilethe user is fully clothed, as long as there is access to the urethrathrough one or more layers of clothing, for example, through a zipperopening, or some other opening fabricated in clothing. Also in oneembodiment, device 103 may be used during menstrual periods withoutremoving a sanitary shield as long as the shield is adapted with a flapopening of the sort that may be opened to provide access to the urethra.

Device 100 is purposely designed to be relatively small so a person maycarry it discretely, for example in a purse or bag. The diameter of thecup and conduit may vary in different embodiments from about one-quarterinch to about one-half inch, and the overall length is from about fourto six inches.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of device 100 of FIG. 1. Conduit section 101may begin as one section of plastic tubing that is flared or formed atone end to form cup 107 and may be bent to form tubing section 104 andtubing section 103 as shown. Shield 105 and support rib 108 may beprovided as separate components that are attached to conduit 101 duringa molding process or by some other method such as heat welding, gluing,or the like. Further, in some embodiments, cup 107 may also be aseparate attachment so that one device can accommodate cups of differentdiameters.

The wall thickness for the conduit and for other parts of the device islargely a design choice, and a thickness of 0.1 inch has been found bythe inventor to be adequate. The bend angle in device conduit 101 isillustrated herein as an angle D and may vary between zero andforty-five degrees with a nominal preference range of approximately 10to 35 degrees. Other conduit and cup sizes as well as other angles ofbend may be implemented in device 100 without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Device 100 is approximately 6 inchesin overall tubing length with approximately 4 inches for tubing section104 and approximately 2 inches for tubing section 103. The exact lengthsof tubing sections 104 and 103 as well as the overall length of device100 may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

In one embodiment of the invention, device 100 may include a gutter (notillustrated) formed on the bottom center of the device tubing, thegutter extending into the cup. The gutter may be provided as part of amolding process to help train the urine through the device faster thanotherwise would be the case with a round tube.

FIG. 3 is a process flow chart 300 illustrating steps for practicing theinvention. At step 301 a user grasps the urinary device. At step 302 theprocess branches according to whether or not the user is clothed whenusing the device. If the user is not clothed at step 302, then theprocess moves to step 304 where the user orientates the device over theurethra before urinating. If the user is clothed at step 302, theprocess branches to step 303 where the user creates an opening in theclothing such as by unzipping trousers or the like to provide access tothe urethra.

At step 304 the user orientates the device over the urethra aided by thenatural curvature of the shield of the device and the position indicatorrib (108) if provided. At step 305 the user holds the device firmly inplace, the cup covering the urethra and the shield resting against theuser.

At step 306, it is determined if the user is using a urine receptaclesuch as a toilet. If there is a urine receptacle that the user desiresto evacuate urine into, the user positions the device output end overthe receptacle at step 307 while still firmly holding the device inplace over the urethra. At step 308 the user urinates into the device.If at step 306 there is no receptacle, for example, the user is outdoorsin the field, the process moves directly to step 308 where the userurinates into the device. At step 308 the user remains in a standingposition. At step 309 the process ends. The user may rinse the deviceafter use and stow the device away in a case or plastic bag provided andadapted for the purpose.

In one embodiment, a version of device 100 may be provided with anenlarged conical cup in place of cup 107 so that the device mayaccommodate a man's genitalia. Such an enlarged cup may be shapedappropriately to accommodate the user while in either a flaccid or erectstate. In one embodiment, device 100 may be provided with two separateattachment cups, one for a female such as cup 107 and a larger cup for amale. In still another embodiment, tubing 101 may be telescopic innature so that the overall length of device 101 may be collapsed formore convenient carrying and then extended to an appropriate length foruse.

In the case of a device 100 that is meant to accommodate both men andwomen, shield 105, used to provide and interface for a woman tomanipulate the device is not required in a version of the device adaptedfor men using a larger cup attachment. Therefore, in one embodiment,shield 105 may be detached from the urinary device. Likewise, cup 107may be a separate attachment.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a telescopic urinary device 400 with amale attachment. Device 400 comprises a tubing section 404 of a specificdiameter and a tubing section 402 having a specific diameter just largerthan the diameter of section 404 to provide for telescopic assembly anduse. Device 400 may be telescopically collapsed when not in use. Alength T illustrates a length defining the added or retracted length ofdevice 400.

In this example, device 400 as a male attachment cup 403 that can beused in place of cup 107 in an embodiment where device 400 can be usedby a male or a female. Cup 403 is in the general shape of a cone and maybe formed using a molding process. The conical shape of cup 403 shouldnot be construed as a limitation. Cup 403 may also be generallycylindrical in shape. Cup 403 may have a shaped wall 404 providedthereto to conform to a male anatomy, specifically testicular anatomy. Aformed portion of cup 403 such as wall 404 may serve to add a level ofcomfort to the user and to help prevent splash back of urine while inuse. Device 400 may also include a gutter as described further above fordevice 100.

Device 400 may be configured back into a female urination device byremoving cup 403 and adding the female cup attachment 107 and the otherattachments like the shield and the support rib if provided.

In a further aspect of the invention a trouser garment for use by women,specifically adapted to be used with the device depicted in FIGS. 1-4,and described herein with reference to those figures, is provided,having an especially configured, and especially placed opening toaccommodate the urinary device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view elevation of a woman wearing a trousergarment 501 according to an embodiment of the invention, standing infront of a urinal 502, having placed device 100 through an opening (notseen in FIG. 5) in the garment and positioned same against the urethrawith the end of tube 103 over the urinal.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a woman's anatomy relative to thegarment 501 of FIG. 5. Garment 501 is shown in solid outline in FIG. 6in order that the spatial relationship between the anatomy and thegarment may be better understood. Line 603 represents the crotch area ofgarment 501 at the point that the legs 602 join to upper portions of thegarment. The bladder and the urethra are shown, the urethra ending at apoint 601. A urinary device 100 as described above is illustrated asplaced in position such that the receiving cup of the device is engagedover the opening from the urethra, and the shield 105 is outside thegarment.

An opening in the crotch area of the garment, termed a Wee-Fly by theinventor, is implemented to allow the user to insert the receiving cup107 of device 100. This opening is shown in FIG. 6 along crotch line 603as a dotted break in line 603 centered on the center of the tubing thatproceeds from cup 107. This opening may be a fly opening with a flap,with a fly length of about 1½ inches, such that the user may use the cup107 of device 100 to engage the opening and insert the cup to engageover the opening of the urethra, with shield 105 contacting the bodyoutside garment 501. When this is accomplished the user may urinatewithout any disrobing, and in a standing position. When finished theuser may simply remove the urinary device 100, and clean the device.

The approximate position of the Wee Fly is apparent from FIG. 6. FIG. 7ais a perspective view describing construction of a Wee Fly opening in anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7a a rectangle of fabric702 (flap) is shown suspended above a crotch region 704 of garment 501.A slit of about 1½ inch length is made in the fabric of the crotchregion. Flap 702 is placed over slit 701 at position 703 shown as adotted rectangle.

FIG. 7b shows flap 702 stitched to fabric of crotch region 704 on threesides. This construction creates an opening through the crotch regionthat may be accessed along the action line of the arrow labeled “entry”.The user may use the receiving cup and of the urinary device to engagethe open side of the Wee Fly flap, and move the cup under the flap andthrough slit 701 to engage the opening from the urethra. After use theurinary device may be removed the same way.

The flap stitched to the fabric of the trouser garment, as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 7a and 7b , provides a fly openingimplemented in a crotch region of the trouser garment, where legportions of the trouser garment meet in fabric of the garment, the flyopening comprising a substantially straight slit of a length no morethan 1.5 inches, completely covered by a rectangular flap of fabrichaving a length greater than the length of the slit, with first andsecond lengthwise edges, and a width substantially less than the lengthof the slit, with first and second widthwise edges, the flap of fabricstitched to the fabric of the garment along the first lengthwise edge ofthe flap of fabric, immediately proximate to and along the length of theslit, and along the width of the flap of fabric proximate both widthwiseedges of the flap of fabric, leaving the straight slit under the flap offabric proximate the first edge of the flap of fabric, the slitaccessible between the fabric of the garment and the unstitched secondedge of the flap of fabric.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a skirt garment 800 having a waistband801 and a fabric skirt 802. A fly 803 of the design described withregard to FIGS. 7a and 7b is provided at a position on a front area ofthe skirt low enough that a device of the sort taught in thisspecification may be inserted through the fly opening and positionedover the urethra of the person wearing the skirt.

A fly may be provided in the skirt in a variety of places, some as shownwithin a boundary denoted by dotted area 804, as long as the skirt,being loose, may be pulled one way or another so that the urinary devicemay be properly placed. In some cases the fly may be in the back of theskirt, and in some cases in both the front and the back. In most cases,by using fabric and stitching thread of a common color with the skirt,the fly me be unobtrusive or nearly invisible.

Skirt 800 is meant to represent skirts of all types, both fitted, tightand loose, and skirt extensions of dresses as well.

FIG. 8 clearly teaches a skirt garment for a female person, having awaistband and a lower hem, with a mid region with an upper extremitysubstantially below the waistband, and a lower extremity substantiallyabove the lower hem. A fly opening is provided in the mid region of theskirt garment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slitof a length no more than 1.5 inches, completely covered by a rectangularflap of fabric having a length greater than the length of the slit, withfirst and second lengthwise edges, and a width substantially less thanthe length of the slit, with first and second widthwise edges, the flapof fabric stitched to the fabric of the skirt garment along the firstlengthwise edge of the flap of fabric, immediately proximate to andalong the length of the slit, and along the width of the flap of fabricproximate both widthwise edges of the flap of fabric, leaving thestraight slit under the flap of fabric proximate the first edge of theflap of fabric, the slit accessible between the fabric of the garmentand the unstitched second edge of the flap of fabric.

The skilled person will be aware that the drawings and descriptionsprovided in this application describe embodiments of the presentinvention, but not all possible embodiments. There may be variations inthe various descriptions falling still within the scope of theinvention. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claimsbelow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for enabling a female person tourinate while standing and without partially disrobing, comprising: aurinary device comprising an elongate tube having a length and an insidediameter, at one end an annular cup with an inside diameter greater thanthe inside diameter of the tube, and of a circumference at an outer lipof the annular cup, and shape for fitting snugly over a user's urethra,and a shield implemented at a point along the length of the tube,proximate the one end with the annular cup, the shield concave towardthe annular cup, adapted to fit over a user's pubic mound; and a trousergarment for a female person, comprising: a waistband; and a fly openingimplemented at a specific position in a crotch region of the trousergarment, where leg portions of the trouser garment meet in fabric of thegarment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of alength no more than 1.5 inches, completely covered by a rectangular flapof fabric having a length greater than the length of the slit, withfirst and second lengthwise edges, and a width substantially less thanthe length of the slit, with first and second widthwise edges, the flapof fabric stitched to the fabric of the trouser garment along the firstlengthwise edge of the flap of fabric, immediately proximate to andalong the length of the slit, and along the width of the flap of fabricproximate both widthwise edges of the flap of fabric, leaving thestraight slit under the flap of fabric proximate the first edge of theflap of fabric, the slit accessible between the fabric of the garmentand the unstitched second edge of the flap of fabric wherein thespecific position is a position that enables the female person to engagethe elongate tube through the fly opening for engaging the cup on theend of the elongate tube over the urethra.
 2. A system for enabling afemale person to urinate while standing and without disrobing,comprising: a urinary device comprising an elongate tube having a lengthand an inside diameter, at one end an annular cup with an insidediameter greater than the inside diameter of the tube, and of acircumference at an outer lip of the annular cup, and shape for fittingsnugly over a user's urethra, and a shield implemented at a point alongthe length of the tube, proximate the one end with the annular cup, theshield concave toward the annular cup, for fitting over a user's pubicmound; and a skirt garment for the female person, the skirt garmenthaving a waistband, a lower hem, and a mid region with an upperextremity substantially below the waistband, and a lower extremitysubstantially above the lower hem, and a fly opening implemented in themid region of the skirt garment, the fly opening comprising asubstantially straight slit of a length no more than 1.5 inches,completely covered by a rectangular flap of fabric having a lengthgreater than the length of the slit, with first and second lengthwiseedges, and a width substantially less than the length of the slit, withfirst and second widthwise edges, the flap of fabric stitched to thefabric of the skirt garment along the first lengthwise edge of the flapof fabric, immediately proximate to and along the length of the slit,and along the width of the flap of fabric proximate both widthwise edgesof the flap of fabric, leaving the straight slit under the flap offabric proximate the first edge of the flap of fabric, the slitaccessible between the fabric of the garment and the unstitched secondedge of the flap of fabric; wherein the female person, by moving the flyopening with a portion of the skirt garment to which the fly opening isimplemented, is enabled to insert the elongate tube through the flyopening, for engaging the annular cup over the urethra.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 comprising a plurality of fly openings at different locations inthe mid region.